Clouded Distance | Free! Fan Fiction

22. Reassurances

Clouded Distance

Chapter Twenty-Two

Reassurances

Hana swung her goggles absent-mindedly in her hand as she wandered out of the changerooms. She didn't have to help out at the writing club that day, so she'd ambled down to the pool straight away.

Her friends had already finished changing and were standing outside, discussing something. Hana sauntered on over, just able to pick out what they were talking about.

"So that's what happened," Nagisa was saying.

Makoto was smiling, not like that was anything out of the ordinary. "Coach Sasabe's done so much for us, I thought it'd be nice to help him for a change."

"What happened?" Hana asked. She appeared beside Haru, and snaked her fingers through his.

The others quickly explained the situation: how Makoto had offered to join SC Returns temporarily as a swimming instructor, until Sasabe was able to get enough staff. Hana couldn't help but smile. This sounds perfect for Makoto. She could imagine him working with those kids now.

"But we can't let you do all the work by yourself!" Nagisa exclaimed once the explanation was over. "We'll help you too! Right?" He looked behind him to see Rei. "You think so too, don't you Rei-chan?"

Rei nodded firmly. "Of course!"

Makoto smiled appreciatively. "Thank you both. But aren't there other things that the both of you need to focus on?"

"But..." Nagisa protested, but came to a loss of words. Rei cut over him.

"Haruka-senpai, Hana-senpai, aren't you concerned as well?" their blue-haired friend demanded.

Hana shrugged. "I would help out, but I'm already helping out at the writing club." She chuckled wryly. "And I've learnt that it's never a good thing to try and juggle too much at once." I really don't want a repeat of earlier this year. She couldn't imagine how Makoto might handle this, even if it was only for a few weeks. She started to think of ways she could possibly help him out while he was busy. It's the least I can do.

"I just swim," Haru muttered. "Makoto should do what he's set out to do."

Nagisa sighed. "I guess you're right," he murmured. "Before worrying about others, we should worry about ourselves. What I need to be able to manage both studies and swimming at the same time. I'll work on that first."

"I'm with Nagisa-kun," Rei said. "I need to improve my swimming before the start of regionals." He looked at Makoto. "So Makoto-senpai, you should accomplish what you've set out to do, too."

"Oh, but it sure sounds like fun," Nagisa moaned. He headed toward the pool. "I bet you get to play with the kids a lot."

"Makoto-senpai's not just going there to play," Rei pointed out.

"I know, I know!"

"Alright, let's train hard again tonight too!"

Hana chuckled and followed suit, already snapping her goggles into place. However, she couldn't help but notice the way Haru was lagging a little behind them all.

It's probably nothing, she told herself firmly. You're overthinking things as per usual. Clear your head, focus on something else.

That's what she did when she stood on the edge of the pool, readying herself in diving position. And, from the moment she dove into the cool water and until the end of their training session, she focused on nothing but her swimming.